The 4Cs

Ecosphere safety is the maintenance of our planet and all its life-sustaining regions in the healthiest possible state. This means maintaining a healthy balance of conservation, community, culture, and commerce—what the Zeitz Foundation calls the 4Cs. The balance of these 4Cs is at the heart of achieving sustainability. These four dimensions also form the core of the Global Ecosphere Retreats® (GER) certification system. GER® certified Long Run Destinations take the 4Cs to heart, continuously striving to achieve the highest standards across these dimensions of conservation, community, culture, and commerce.

Our Members

Long Run Destinations

Long Run Alliance Members

Long Run Supporters

CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION

Biodiversity is life. Conservation is safeguarding this biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem services it provides which support global needs. Conservation is a core component amongst all Long Runners. They support the sustainable use of natural resources that safeguards the integrity of the ecosphere. Activities in this dimension address issues related to biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as management of energy, water and waste, land planning and carbon impact reduction, among others.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY

People matter; it is the right of every person to have their basic needs met and enhancing the well-being of communities is a fundamental obligation of all. Long Runners support activities that enhance the well-being of all relevant communities who have a socio-economic relationship with them. Activities in this dimension address fair working conditions, local and regional relations, social ventures, social accountability, capacity building and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), among others.

CULTURE

CULTURE

Our world is culturally diverse. Celebrating commonality is what nurtures understanding. Respecting difference is crucial to our future. Our ability to innovate and evolve is what makes us uniquely human. Drawing on our uniqueness we enrich each other and contribute to a greater common good. As Long Runners, we strive to strengthen intercultural relationships and understanding, safeguarding cultural heritage while raising awareness of cultural diversity.

COMMERCE

COMMERCE

Trading and the accumulation of wealth have been central to the development of civilizations over thousands of years and are likely to remain so. Uncontrolled, this commerce has had negative impacts, but conducted in a more holistic and sustainable way, it can be a positive contributor to The Long Run. This dimension addresses the sustainability of a business as sustainable commercial operations offer the capacity to provide a source of income for people that depend on it, as well as for reinvesting back into the initiatives in each of the 4Cs.